Preamble:

Because of the length of this, I will divide it into a few parts. I have put serious thought and time into this not because I have the time, but because I give a shit. So, let it be said right now if you’re not interested in a long read, move along. This ain’t about pageviews. But do me a favour. If you’re going to spout off shit, read the whole thing.

I. An Introduction of Sorts

With due consideration to the responses to my previous journal, I realized that with some, I struck a chord and with others I struck a nerve. To be honest, I certainly wasn't expecting a terribly warm welcome for my interpretation of the failings of dA, but that has never stopped me before. Indeed, the majority of responses were supportive of my ‘rant’ but the silence, in itself, was deafening.

The masses will always object to having the boat rocked, the tree shaken, or being told that all is not well. I have an innate sense of 'shit disturbing' or more mildly, to put forth the Socratic Method to find improvements. Unfortunately, if anyone had a complaint, there was little more than outright opposition with nothing of value put on the table. No surprise there. But I’m not going to be drinking any fucking hemlock. I’m going out kicking and screaming.

First, let it be said that I do not back down from what I said. It stands emphatically with fucking goddamn expletives. But I believe that there needs to be some clarification on particular points and reiteration of others.

Second, I am not here to whine and complain about the current state of affairs on dA without providing some form of ‘solution’. There are many who will disagree with me. So be it. At least I am in my own way making a contribution to some form of resolution. To criticize is easy. To involve oneself in constructive ways to make improvements on existing problems is not always so. Legitimate discourse is certainly more welcome than outright opposition. And that’s not to say that you have to agree with me, but try to put something on the table and make a valid point and not spout off shite.

I myself, and many others have some serious issues with the way dA is operated, maintained and marketed. As I have stated previously, dA is sadly moving towards the lowest common denominator resembling MySpace or Facebook. This, in my opinion is very much the wrong direction and appealing to the wrong demographic. Kiddies grow up and move on. If you want a core of loyal members, don’t base it on kids. Look at adults who actually see things as they are and think about the long haul. They have money too.

At the outset of dA eight years ago, I believe things were different. Idealistic perhaps, but with an underlying motivation to provide a site for ART. Or at least I’d like to think so… If you look at the founders of dA, they have a background in video games and BBSs. Not much to do with art per se… But they had the seed of an idea that germinated on their little corner of the internet. At the time, there was very little on the internet in terms of a website that allowed people to present their art and to form a sense of community about art. You can look into the creation and background of dA for yourself. But suffice it to say, the reason why dA was created and what it is becoming are not the same. The current staff and administration of dA seem to be far more concerned with ‘ profit’ at any cost, diluting the positive intent of the original dA mandate. dA, like anything else cannot be all things to all people, but please don’t reach out to the masses with watered down look-alikes.

So it comes down to this. How does one define what dA is and what it should be? I really don’t want to be pissing in the wind for naught. My objectives are simple. Make dA better. But what if dA has no intention of changing its current course? It will die. A slow death perhaps, but look what’s happening to MySpace… The hole is dug and the nails are already being driven into the coffin. The only thing is that the corpse is still kicking in death throes a bit.

So to follow…

II. The Indefinable Nature of Art and dA

III. The Positive Aspects of dA

IV. The Minor Issues with dA

V. The Major Issues with dA

VI. The Future of dA and The Ultimatum


II. The Indefinable Nature of Art and dA

So for my little diatribe, let me begin with this… What is art? How does one define something so indefinable and slippery? I’m not an expert. I don’t have a degree in Art History. But I think that’s an asset. I’m not a jaded and bitter critic who couldn’t make it as an artist… Mind you, I don’t make dollar one from art either. That too is an asset. I create art for its own sake, not for money or popularity. I’m not driven to sell anything. I’ve got a real education and a real job.

Art, by nature is difficult to define. Good art is entirely subjective because we judge with visceral emotional response, not by dry theory, process or the mechanics of art. So how does one define ‘good’ art without succumbing to the ‘ popularity game’? The old adage, ‘I may not know art, but I know what I like’ is apt. Art by its simplest definition in some way involves us aesthetically whether it be positive or negative. It is a communication from the artist to the viewer to elicit response. It can challenge the viewer, or it can upset them, but it is an emotional communication nevertheless. Beyond that, it can be a wide open door, but it should be something that allows us to react.

There are certain types of art I don’t like. Does that mean the art is bad? Not necessarily. It simply means that it does not appeal to my ‘aesthetic sense’. For others it could be a masterpiece.

Likewise, in art as in life, people gravitate towards certain styles more so than others. Yeah, this is where the populist bullshit seeps in. I don’t like it in the least, but it’s a fact. The same could be said for music. I fucking hate pop music, but at times I can respect the talent that created it.

I for one, have gone on a path that has not been terribly popular, but it is the way I perceive things. I won’t apologize for it. I have a dedication to what I see and how I respond to it. I have not and will not sacrifice my artistic endeavours to achieve popularity. Sure, some of my images get more ‘favs’ than others but that isn’t what drives me. I do it for the sheer joy and because I need the cathartic outlet art provides me. And before you say it, yes, sharing art is part of the process, not just the creation. It ain’t art if no one sees it.

Then there are artists themselves. Admittedly, we’re a temperamental bunch. Because art is emotive, by nature, so are we. Perhaps that explains the great deal of ‘drama’ that floats about on dA… Everyone has their own reason for being here; to develop one’s craft, to communicate with peers in a community, or simply to showcase one’s works. They’re all valid reasons, but we needn’t wear our hearts on our sleeves. There are blogs and other such places for emotionality. Let’s keep dA for art. Spend the dime to call your mom.

I think it is important to recognize that there are a great deal of young people on dA. Perhaps it is the main demographic. That, in and of itself is certainly not a bad thing. I do not preach that they should be cast out simply for that fact. We all have to start somewhere and I started young myself. Certainly, I encourage anyone who is beginning in creative artistry. There is much to be gained cathartically. To post a photo of your poorly photoshopped shoes, and putting it up in ‘abstract’ is hardly art. Raise the bar kids.

Some people have suggested that there should be a ‘dA junior’ or a ‘MydA’. I’m borderline on that one… I think that a great majority of the ‘crap’ on this site is provided by ‘kids’ of any age who don’t understand what dA should be about. There is a lot of ‘fan art’, photos of friends, and other superfluous junk that floods this site, but I don’t want to ‘ban’ it outright. I certainly don’t like it and I have to wade through a great deal of crap to see art of value, but I’m not about to impose my personal opinions of ‘art’ on others… Why? Because as many others have said, most are here to grow and improve. In order to do that, we have to have exposure to ‘good’ art and to gain an understanding of how our own works fit into that ‘good’ category. That also means having the patience to accept some of the crap and recognize it as such. I may not like crap, but I have the maturity to rise above it. The problem is that crap is still crap, even if ass kissers all jump on that bandwagon of congratulating each other on how ‘awesome’ and ‘kewl’ something is, despite the fact that it’s crap.

I maintain that dA should not become elitist in restricting anyone from uploading images (with the obvious exclusions that dA has already set such as ‘ porn’ and stolen images). By its own mandate, dA exists for all artists, and not solely for ‘ professionals’. Most here are amateurs trying to improve their craft. I’ll freely admit that some of my early stuff is simply awful. Undeniable. But there is something to be said for being able to see progress. I don’t think that dA should be held responsible for restricting images. I think we, as members of dA must reflect on what it is we consider ‘art’ and our reasons for being here. And I’m not talking about self-imposed censorshit. I think we all have to do better at not posting crap, myself included.

But there is an onus on dA on one very particular front. And I believe that in this there should be some kind of ‘division’. Instead of the need for dA to create a separate area for ‘kids’, allow members an option not to see ‘kid’ pages or particular art categories if they so desire. This would be similar to how ‘adult’ images are blocked from minors. And yes, I know that this can be done… sort of… But as dA grows in size, if they are not about to change how they market to their ‘main’ demographic (kids), then don’t forget about the artists who actually make this site what it is, an ART site.


III. The Positive Aspects of dA

Regardless of what anyone might say, we’re here for selfish and non-altruistic reasons. We all have something to get out of dA. But as a community, we are a sum of its parts and each of us is a link in the chain, a strand of the web. Our individual strengths combined are what makes the whole greater.

There are several good points about dA which should not be neglected or ignored. I can honestly say that I have gained a great deal from my time here. And it is for those reasons that I’m willing to ‘make a stink’ about the way things are going.

I have been motivated and influenced by the works of others on dA. I have been able to expand and improve my artistic ‘style’ through the exposure to a vast number of exceptionally talented artists who share this space. I have met many people both ‘virtually’ and in ‘reality’ with whom I have had discourse and collaborated. The value of this is immeasurable. To me, this is what dA is all about.

I for one don’t want the best parts of dA to be swallowed up and diluted. I have enjoyed the opportunity to ‘meet’ many talented artists from around the world through dA. I would have never had the opportunity otherwise.

I have been exposed to visions, perspectives, and ideas that I would not otherwise found. I have been inspired to try new techniques and expand my horizons. I have taken paths previously unseen. dA has opened doorways for me I had not known existed. For this I give dA full credit and sincere thanks. It would be a sad shame to lose dA and what it can offer.

Have you ever gone into a coffee shop or an art gallery and seen art on the wall and said to yourself, ‘I’ve seen way better on dA.’? I have. There’s a whole lot of shite disguised as art out there in the world. That’s the truth. dA represents some of the best fucking art in the world. Period. Skip art school, skip loser art critics and ‘exclusive’ private galleries. Skip all the facetious ass kissing bullshit. dA is a real significant presence in the art world and a force to be reckoned with. But let’s not let dA forget that fact because they’re too busy chasing money.

dA is an open format where everyone is free to submit pretty much anything. It really is not a ‘submission based’, snooty, oppressive awful bullshit place filled with talentless critics and fake arrogant assholes that is rife in the real ‘art world’. Yeah, dA has people like that too… but there isn’t as much of the prima donna crap (except for some gallery directors… ) But there is freedom. And that should be embraced, not abused. With freedom comes responsibility.

So instead of bitching and whining, I want to list my issues with dA and wherever possible, a sound resolution. I will not idly sit by and watch Rome burn. I will try to help put out the fire, even if I’m just one person pissing on the pyre. If I’m the lone individual standing in front of the tank, so be it. I’ve sharpened my teeth and I’m ready to bite back.


IV. The Minor Issues with dA

There are a multitude of minor issues about dA which annoy many people. Some are about dA itself and some are about the users of dA. You may not agree with me, or my issues may not be yours. That’s okay. But if you’re going to make a comment, again, say something worthwhile and put something on the table. These are a few of the minor things in dA that piss me off.

Minor Issues:

1. The ‘rollover’ thumbnail image on the message page is gone. Bring it back! It was one of the few useful things I’ve seen.
2. The over-the-top need to say ‘thank you’ for everything. Sure, civility and politeness shouldn’t disappear, but it has become mechanical and meaningless, especially for those of us who have been around for a while.
3. Overdone-to-death styles or formats. Yes, I’m talking about Polaroids, squares, HDR, Holga etc. I've seen some cool stuff within those 'constraints'. What disturbs me is the lovefest trendy fad bullshit that comes with it. With a few inspiring uses, everyone else jumps on the bandwagon. Some very cool stuff done with them, but way overdone and ruined. Guess what? I will fav any one of these styles if it is good. There’s just too much crap.
4. Kiddy art/fan art. Yes, no one is born with perfect artistic skill and we all need to practice to improve. As dA policy states, it won’t restrict any submissions, but strongly suggests that less than your best should be submitted to ‘scraps’. So… Cut the crap and put it in scraps.
5. I won’t win on the emoticon thing. Lots of people like them for some reason. But dA, please make them a little more useful. I can see a function for them when dealing with a huge number of languages that are on an international site, which of course dA is despite the fact that it is US based. But let me suggest this… Create a batch of useful emoticons that can be understood by anyone of any language and provide a ‘translation’ page for them in multiple languages.
6. The dA watermark is ugly and oppressive. At least make something a little less obtrusive and ‘modifiable’ by users. Why not allow users to put a transparent image of their icon on the image?
7. Polls that ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with nothing else are just plain silly. Polls with little substance related to art are meaningless. Polls that try to give gallery directors ‘direction’ are pathetic. Either put up a poll with substance or forget it all together. In fact, let’s just do away with polls in general. All in favour? I’ll put up a fucking poll to vote on it.
8. The CSS factor of journals is aggravating. I’m not here to code. I’m here for art. It also has allowed some horrible eyesore abuses.
9. I’m no fan of clubs. What they should be is supportive groups of likeminded individuals who have things in common and/or can offer useful information to one another. On dA, they’re just another excuse for cliquish exclusion. And I truly truly hate the ‘don’t’ fav here, this is a club’ bullshit.
10. Contests to ‘skin’ a car? And you can win a one year subscription? Whoopee! Contests for anything are just cheap and childish. This ain’t the prom boys and girls.
11. Bandwagon ‘causes’ like Earth Day or Save the Albino Kitty Day or such crap that show ‘I care’ are pretty much nonsense. If you believe in something, get out into the world and do something about it. dA is not the best forum for it. Don’t get me wrong. I have my own political agendas and art has always been a way of presenting it, but don’t make it cheap like wearing a goofy little ribbon. Do something about what you believe in.
12. Pageviews. Arg. Do away with it all. Don’t be driven by numbers. Be driven by improving your craft. And if that won’t be done away with, at least create a ‘hate it’ or ‘anti-fav’ in the same way that you can ‘reject’ news. I’d do that for a shitload of DDs.
13. Being a paid member means something. Someone said that being a paid member gives me no rights. Bullshit. I totally disagree. It’s called Consumerist Democracy. I vote with my hard cold cash. And since I have PAID for my membership, I do have a right to complain about the service I’m getting. Does buying a broken stereo give you no right to get a refund or repair? I choose coke over pepsi. No rights? Utter bullshit. And yes, as a PAID member of dA, I do deserve a little better. If you don’t pay, sure, lower your standards and expect nothing. I have high standards and demand more.
14. dA is a business to make money. Sure. I’m a capitalist. I agree. But here, I’m a client. If I stand by and do nothing and not complain about the current state of affairs, what will change? Granted, a business (which of course dA is) is not a democracy. But a business can certainly fail and go bankrupt if it does not meet the needs of its clientele.
15. Speak up and speak out. If there’s something you don’t like about dA, SAY IT! Don’t sit back and let them drive the bus. Someone said that I should ‘chill’. No. In fact, let me emphasize this. No fucking way. If I am passionate about something, it is my art and the avenue through which I present it and am inspired to do more. That’s dA. If I were to chill, why not just put away my camera and my brushes and give it all up for good? Not bloody likely. Nor will I ‘chill’.


V. The Major Issues with dA

So here’s the main gist. It ain’t pretty folks and it ain’t for the squeamish. As with the Minor Issues, some are related to the people who use dA and with dA directly. And again, agree with me or no, I can live with it. But before you say something like ‘you suck’, put a little thought into your vehemence.

Major Issues:

1. dA needs to make a serious decision as to what the hell they are and who they’re trying to market to. If they’re in it solely for the money, then sure, market to kids with disposable cash and turn dA into just another MySpace pit of hell that will die as a dead fad in the same way that MySpace and Facebook have/will. If this is an art site as it was once created to be, then make the site about ART, not all the other superfluous crap. We’ve had art since we’ve had civilization. If you work on those foundations instead of the bread and circuses fads, dA could be an influential site that really means something for generations. Time to step up dA.
2. dA also needs to review what advertising it takes on. How are pirate puzzle games related to ART? Why aren’t there paying advertisers like camera companies and art supply companies? Sure, dA has to make a buck somehow, but seriously, can we not avoid 3d chat avatars and the like? With all the people here talking about buying gear and what to get, I’m sure that advertisers of art-related products would seriously consider advertising on dA. Or consider this… How about a tie in with a company like Starbucks. You know how they sell CDs? Well, why not sell dA art and present it on the walls there? The crappy kiddy ads cheapen dA.
3. AdCast is a farce. You want me to pay more for hits on my page? How about creating good art? Sure, it’s another way to bring in revenue, but that’s pretty sad.
4. The merchandise available (like t shirts, plushies, etc.) are um… for kids. However much I’m opposed to Daily Deviations, why not create a well-made coffee table book with the best DDs in a particular category? (Yes, I know the issues with individual copyrights and such… )
5. Everyone on dA has to seriously look at themselves in regards to what defines a ‘journal’ and its content. A journal should be related to art and the site. You have a gallery show? Great. That’s valid. But to tell everyone that you just broke up with your significant other or you had a hard day at work is hardly important here.
6. Gallery directors are unpaid volunteers. Although I can respect the personal time and dedication it takes, because they are unpaid, they will, by nature, promote their own agendas and this is seen again and again. The positions should be paid and subject to strict guidelines of conduct. And because dA does not provide those ‘guidelines’ for gallery directors, who knows what the hell they’re really supposed to do? Whatever it is, I can’t say I’m impressed. There are some good ones, but there are some bloody awful ones. Most should be dismissed. When a Gallery Director ‘has no time’, what the fuck are they doing as a Gallery Director? That’s a full-time job. A hell of a lot of so-called Gallery Directors don’t even understand their job or how to define the category they are supposed to represent. Don’t get me wrong. Volunteers are great, but they will never resolve the core issues of a BUSINESS. dA, this is a business, not a fucking charity. You have millions of dollars in profit. Try putting some back in the business and having some paid employees who are responsible for significant parts of your business.
7. All of the contributing senior members for dA are also unpaid. How can a business of this size operate on such a model? Pyramid schemes have stronger foundations than this. dA pay your staff and major contributors! Free lifetime memberships don’t cut it. Hell will freeze over sooner than you think if you keep this up. And to all the Gallery Directors and senior members… No, this does not look good on a resume. You look like a slave and a sucker.
8. The CEO and core staff of dA need to forget about the past BBSs and such. This ain’t 1982 with 1200 baud modems and tape drives. It’s not even 1991 with gopher protocol. Likewise, they need to forget about video games. dA isn’t a video game. Things have evolved. So should they. Sure, there’s a need for an entrepreneurial spirit to make something from nothing. You’ve done that. Don’t sell out and kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
9. Invest in better servers. How often does dA go down for ‘maintenance’? Far too often. Instead of limiting so-called ‘spam’ comments and other bandwidth restrictions placed on members, the onus is on dA to provide better service and better servers. How about try paying your coding staff as a start? Again, the CEO himself makes millions from dA. Why not improve service instead of lining your pockets?
10. The elitist, populist, cliquishness must come to an end. Perhaps impossible, as dA is only a microcosm of society on the whole… But if we’re all ‘adults’ here, we all have to look at ourselves long and hard and not succumb to this nonsense. Consider this… By nature, most artists are somewhat ‘misfits’ because of perspective and talents that most people don’t have. Well, you know what it feels like to be an outsider. You know about the popularity contests of cheerleaders and football players in high school and not wanting to be part of that bullshit. Don’t create the same thing here.
11. dA should really encourage professional artists to provide some form of ‘mentoring’. In fact, it should be those professional artists who become the gallery directors. Imagine having some of the most notable artists of today providing positive critiques, feedback and assistance to members of this site. Sure, it may cost a little to pay them, but the draw would be phenomenal. Writers do this all the time. Why not other artists here?
12. dA seriously needs to present itself as a professional art site, not a childish one. That doesn’t mean, as one person wrote, ‘a bunch of old, overweight white men who had too much money for equipment and were concerned only with the technical aspects of photography, and not the art’. It also does not mean the snobbish, elitist crap. Honestly, dA has been on the right track, but has slid way too far the wrong way to the ‘ populist’.
13. It’s been said before, but some just don’t get it. DEATH TO PLAGARISTS. Quit stealing and copying works not your own. Stock exists for a reason. Use it as such and leave artists’ stuff alone. dA must PERMANENTLY ban users who are violating copyright law. dA must also step up protection of art on this site as best as is reasonably possible. We all have to take measures to protect our own works, but dA needs to do more to help and protect artists works from scumfucks on other sites stealing our works and to assist artists in taking active measures to prevent this. Imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery. It’s called THEFT.
14. Despite the fact that you may not like an art form or an individual, give them due respect. People are people. Allow them their voice, their opinion, and their art as you would expect for yourself. Everyone here knows the hesitation they felt when the uploaded their first submission to dA. It takes a little bit of guts to expose your art to the world and regardless of age. This is a place to share and grow in your respective field. Respect your peers. To ‘flame’ and other such nonsense should never be tolerated.
15. Offer support to your peers. I’m not talking about comments like ‘k3w1 or ‘I like that’. I mean real substantial support. Tutorials are a good start. I’ll admit that I rarely comment and I am rarely critical of others works because I believe that they created the work as they have presented, but if someone asks me point blank for my thoughts, they’ll get it.
16. To those who are disenfranchised with dA, I would like you to offer your positive and constructive criticism to help. Don’t take your ball and go home. Stick around and make dA better. If you agree with me, say it. If you disagree with me and have a better idea, say it. Silence only helps in allowing the dA money grubbers and the popularity club to win by numbers alone, not by good ideas.
17. There is much to be gained here. Grow, improve, and be inspired. But please leave the drama at the door and grow up. Someone suggested that I’m creating drama while being opposed to it, I think I’ve taken the time to present a clear and coherent case far better than ‘this sucks’. And guess what? I’m pissed off. I have always been and always will be very direct and succinct about my thoughts. Period. If you have a problem with that, fuck you.
18. No more Daily Deviations or ‘ popular’ categories that show an extremely uneven and biased representation of ‘art’ on dA. There are so many undiscovered artists on this site who are unseen because of the popularity trap. Even the CEO of dA suggests that you can find really good art by searching what’s popular. Ugh. Without a proper structure in place that recognizes good art based on its merits, not its popularity, DDs have no meaning. Nine-year-olds who suggest DDs? Please.
19. The whole ‘dA print’ thing is a scam. I DON’T WANT TO SELL PRINTS HERE. GET IT? Quit trying to make money off of my art and give me so little in return.
20. Most importantly for every individual artist, ASPIRE TO INSPIRE. Think of what your art can give to the world, not what you can get from it.


VI. The Future of dA and The Ultimatum

So here’s the thing... If dA does not start making some serious changes, it will die as a fad. The owners and administration of dA have to take a long hard look at themselves and realize that either they’ll be just another flash in the pan like MySpace or a long-lasting professional website that presents art in a serious way.

Let’s face it. The core administrative staff of dA are really children themselves. Hardly any of them are out of their twenties. What major fucking corporation is run by children? What the hell do they know about business models and structure? It’s so k3w1! Like fersure! If you’re going to be a real business of substance, fucking act like one. I could run this business better blindfolded.

When Google or Microsoft or Time Warner/AOL or Yahoo come knocking on your door Mr. CEO, will you sell out or will you hold true to your values of what art should be? Sadly, I think you’ll sell. Fuck you.

If dA does nothing and lets Rome burn, fine. I’ll leave. But guess what? The true core members of dA will create something to kick dAs ass and destroy it. This ain’t a threat folks. You have no idea who we really are and what we’re truly capable of. We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore.

So, dA , it’s your move. What’s it going to be?